Dispatches
New Mexico
December 17, 2009
In Santa Fe, NM, if the 
city building regulations are not enough of a reminder of living in an environmentally friendly community, then its’ community members are there to set the example. We stared the week arriving at The Wildlife Center in Espanola, pronounced Es-pan-ola, not to be confused with the Spanish pronunciation 
Beginning their own education program this year, the Wildlife Center works to promote wildlife conservation.
Just down the road in Santa Fe, we hit the Travel Bug, a local coffee and travel bookstore. Of course it wouldn’t be our style to arrive without difficulty. After our GPS routed us to the old address, we arrived as the clock struck 5pm. Knowing our luck, we had heard that NM time was a bit slower than others, but not this night! Everyone was early and already listening to a backup video in the off-chance we didn’t show. Luckily the audience was just happy we were there and with plenty of participation and interest they remained captivated for our presentation. The funny thing about Santa Fe was that we continued to run into audience members throughout our stay. We bumped into each other while biking and site seeing, proving this is a community that walks the walk and talks the talk.
While we were there, 
our awesome host, and old childhood friend, Piper, treated us to her very own BackroadPizza. With our bellies full we headed toward Las Vegas, New Mexico that is. Or so we thought…
As we got off the highway we drove by the overpass and ran into a toll booth looking barricade with the word “MEXICO” across the top. I have to admit that we were stumped for a second, and then saw the “movie set” sign!
That night we met Ben at Highlands University and were honored to present in their beautiful historic theatre. Ben, along with other students at the university are busy working to spread the word of sustainability through their many campus groups, movie nights, and green week every spring. Highlands was a great venue and surrounded by a small community with a hometown feel.
After camping at the Storrie Lake State Park and warming up in the local, natural, and free hot springs, we were on the road again…
